John Edward Krueger

Dr. John Edward Krueger, 93, of Bloomington and formerly of South Bend, died Monday, February 16, 2015 in Sterling House of Bloomington. He was born July 13, 1921 in Michigan City, Indiana to Carl H. Krueger and Katherine Hartke Krueger. He was an anesthesiologist, retired from a long career at St. Joseph Medical Center in South Bend. Survivors include three daughters: Katherine Ward of Bloomington, Carol Williams and her husband Bob of Capt. Cook, Hawaii and Julie Nelson and her husband Phillips of Belmont, Massachusetts; two step-daughters: Sue Cooper of South Bend and Jean Verteramo and her husband Alberto of Granger, Indiana; nine grandchildren: John Ward, Jonathan Holfinger, Ryan Hanson, Brandice Cooper, Andrew Verteramo, Erica CR Williams, Brian Verteramo, Connor Verteramo, and Sara Nelson; seven great-grandchildren: Max, Cameron, Natalie, Simone, Lukas, Jake and Brandon; a brother, Thomas Krueger of Madison, Wisconsin, and several beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Ruth Taylor Krueger, his stepson Rick Dickens, his second wife, Patricia Girard Krueger, and a sister, Jane DeGan. John served as an Army Medical Officer in post-WWII occupied Germany. During his medical practice he lectured at St. Mary’s Nursing School, served on the Medical Ethics Committee at Notre Dame University, volunteered at the Chapin Street Free Clinic, and was active in many other civic, church and professional organizations. A cofounder and medical director of Hospice of South Bend, now Center for Hospice Care of North Central Indiana, he is remembered there by a yearly service award given in his name. He was a devoted and cherished member of the Cathedral of St. James, Episcopal in South Bend. John was an avid golfer, loved to putter in his home workshop, swam three times a week for many years, and was an enthusiastic student of Civil War history. He loved travel, good food and Dixieland jazz; New Orleans was an annual springtime pilgrimage. John Krueger was compassionate and conscientious, loving, generous and kind. He led a purposeful life of service and he will be missed. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at St. James Cathedral in South Bend. Arrangements are under the direction of Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home, Bloomington.